TORONTO — The NHL will most likely play a 48-game season after its new labor agreement is ratified.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly tells The Canadian Press today it's looking "more and more" that 48 will be the maximum number of games. There had been some hope when the tentative deal was reached Sunday morning that a 50-game season might be possible.

The sides are working on a memorandum of understanding that will be put to a vote.

The league has circulated a memo to teams telling them to be ready to play by Jan. 19. That is the date the shortened season is most likely to start.